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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






2. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






3. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






4. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






5. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






6. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






7. A short light musical drama.






8. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






9. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






10. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






11. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






12. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






13. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






14. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






15. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






16. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






17. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






18. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






19. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






20. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






21. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






22. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






23. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






24. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






25. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






26. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






27. The structure of a piece of music.






28. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






29. A repeated phrase.






30. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






31. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






32. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






33. Closing section of a movement.






34. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






35. A direction to play expressively.






36. Repetition of a single tone.






37. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






38. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






39. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






40. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






41. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






42. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






43. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






44. A reprise.






45. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






46. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






47. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






48. Sliding between two notes.






49. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






50. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.